Camp fosters confidence and independence in Campers

kids holding rainbow parachute on rooftop

On Sam’s first day of March Break day camp, he was shy and nervous. He had never been to school, and because he eats through a G-tube, many other recreational programs are not able to support him. Coming to day camp was a very new experience for him, and his parents.

That’s exactly why his mother Gina was determined that he come to our first-ever first March Break day camp that was held in Ottawa. She was so determined, that she drove for over an hour each morning to bring him to camp, and once he was checked in, she waited in the restaurant next door all day.

For the first two days, Gina came back to camp at lunch time to help feed Charlie through his G-tube.

But on day three when Gina arrived at lunch time, Sam turned to her and confidently said “Mom, they can handle it!” This was just the first of many changes Gina noticed in Sam over his week with camp. She told the team that he seemed happier, more confident, and less shy.

At the end of the week when she came with the other parents to closing campfire, Gina teared up seeing the photos of her son playing games, being silly, and having fun with the other kids. “He’s him again,” she said. “He hasn’t laughed like that since his first surgery.”

*Camper and family names and images have been changed to protect privacy

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Overnight camp stories

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If you would like to share your camp story with us, please contact:

Michelle Guignard

Development Coordinator, Annual Giving

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